States, UTs to submit 'action taken report' on healthcare security by September 10: Government

New Delhi: Health Secretary Apurva Chandra on Wednesday wrote to states and Union territories seeking 'action taken report' on immediate security measures put in place for doctors and health care professionals. The states and UTs are to submit the report by September 10.

The letter mentioned key points that were discussed on August 28 during a video conference between the states on providing security to doctors and healthcare workers in all institutions.

This comes after the Supreme Court had ordered on August 22 that a meeting with all Secretaries and Directors General of Police had to hold a meeting to ensure doctors' safety at workplace.

The 11 points that the letter mentions include identification of high risk establishments, conducting security audits, special focus on high risk areas, CCTV surveillance, integration with local police, employing security personnel, establishing security committees, ensuring security checks, doctors and other healthcare professionals following bereavement protocols, deploying patient facilitators, and employing trained social workers, volunteers and coordinators.

The step comes after the outrage by doctors to ensure their safety following the horrifying rape and murder case of a resident doctor in Kolkata.